MANNING (Sept. 28) -- Led by an outstanding all-around performance from Stephen Grimm, the IKM-Manning football team pulled away in the second half to defeat Manson-Northwest Webster 39-8 in Class A, District 2 action here Friday night. Grimm carried the ball 20 times for 295 yards (14.8 ypc) and four touchdowns while also adding a team-high 12 tackles (nine solos) and two sacks on defense.

 EARLHAM (Sept. 28) -- AHSTW overcame three turnovers with some big plays on both sides of the football during Friday’s second half at Earlham, beating the Cardinals 35-7 to keep their undefeated record intact. The second-ranked (Class A) Vikings improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in District 9, tied with St. Albert for first place.

 MANNING (Sept. 27) -- In a WIC showdown between two evenly-matched volleyball teams, IKM-Manning had its chances in the final two sets but couldn’t get over the hump in a 3-1 home loss to Underwood Thursday night, falling 12-25, 25-15, 20-25, 22-25. The Wolves are now 12-10 overall (3-4 in the Western Iowa Conference).

 AVOCA (Sept. 27) -- The AHSTW volleyball team improved to 21-7 overall Thursday night with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-18 win over Riverside. The Lady Vikes are 4-3 in Western Iowa Conference play. AHSTW finished with a team kill efficiency of .350 against the Bulldogs, getting 11 kills from Kinsey Scheffler (.320), six from Kate Wise (.150), five from Kailey Jones (.556) and four from Madison Simonsen (.571).

 DENISON (Sept. 25) -- The Harlan Community girls won their sixth consecutive team title and the Cyclone boys (second) earned their best finish of the year at last Tuesday’s Monarch Cross Country Invite in Denison. Five Cyclone girls placed between fifth and 10th with a spread time of just 38 seconds, resulting in a winning score of 37.

    HARLAN -- Marion North, 91, Harlan, died Sunday, Oct. 7 at her home.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    North is survived by her children William North of Wheaton, IL, John North of Harlan, Daniel North of Harlan, David North of Harlan, Andrew North of Harlan and Ruth Klindt of Gramby, CO.

    BOONE -- Steven Bradley Beckman, 57, Boone, died October 2.    Family greeted friends Monday, Oct. 8 from 1-3 p.m.

    WALNUT -- Shirley LaVon Bladt, 83, Walnut, died October 3 at the Nebraska Medical Center.    Services were held Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.

    HARLAN – Pride, Dedication and Excellence is the motto of this year’s Harlan Community High School Marching Band, and no one student exemplifies what it means to be a Cyclone more than Allen Fries, who in an exciting move has decided to participate in both the band and varsity football team on football Friday nights.    Fries, a junior at HCHS, loves both football and music, and actually has participated in both since his freshman year of